FULL LIST | Kylian Mbappé absent from France squad for November fixtures | OneFootball

France national team boss Didier Deschamps revealed this Thursday afternoon his squad for Les Bleus’ Nations League November fixtures. Captain Kylian Mbappé is a surprising absentee. As reported by Le Parisien, Mbappé is fit and available to play, as seen by his start against AC Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League, but Deschamps has not called up the Real Madrid striker. Deschamps confirmed in his press conference that Mbappé wanted to link up with the France squad.

The France manager has given Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier his first-ever international senior call-up, with West Ham’s Alphonse Areola making way. Chevalier’s France call-up is long overdue, considering he is arguably the most in-form French goalkeeper since the start of the season. Aurélien Tchouaméni’s injury means that Deschamps has recalled Adrien Rabiot. The Marseille midfielder is making a return to the France setup for the first time since the Euros.

Mbappé and Tchouaméni’s absence should mean that N’Golo Kanté is in line to wear the skipper’s armband. The Al-Ittihad midfielder is back after missing the previous international break. After defeating Israel and Belgium last month, France will continue their Nations League campaign in the A2 group. Les Bleus will host Israel on November 14 before a deciding tie, three days later, against group-topping Italy at Milan’s San Siro.

Didier Deschamps France squad to face Israel and Italy:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval